Cadet Class Peter Scott Memorial Trophy at the WPNSA sponsored by Zhik

Cadet Class Peter Scott Memorial Trophy at the WPNSA © Neil Collingridge

Cadet Class Peter Scott Memorial Trophy at the WPNSA © Neil Collingridge

Cadet Class Peter Scott Memorial Trophy at the WPNSA © Neil Collingridge

The first UK Cadet class qualifier for the World Team for Bodstedt, Germany this summer took place over the weekend of 21/22 April at the WPNSA, who once again looked after the fleet wonderfully.

Most of the UK was sweltering in a mini heatwave for the 2 day's prior to the event so expectations for some good weather were high. The young sailors who had been training hard all winter were full of anticipation as they rigged in the sunshine on Saturday morning. They launched into 15 knots of breeze just as past cadet sailors Tom Collyer and Jamie Harris photobombed them in a 470 on their way out to the harbour. With Alex Colquitt also out in a 470 there's no doubt of the quality coming out of the Cadet fleet into the pathway classes.

Unfortunately the wind was short lived and as the sailors gathered near the Committee boat it virtually switched off - certainly to unraceable levels. So quite a lot of bobbing around just to raise the anxiety levels and see who could deal with the pressure when the valve was released. By 13.32 we had had 2 starts abandoned in the last minute and 2 general recalls. The U flag was duly produced to introduce some decorum and so the fleet went from previously over-eager to now ridiculously reticent with seemingly everyone forgetting to get a transit and massive line sag resulting.

Nevertheless the fleet were away clean and Phoebe Bradshaw and Mimi Slump led at the windward from Connor Lines and Toby Bush with Anna Wootten and Amelia Mayhew in third. The chasing group included Kate White and Rhona Enkel, Emily Speirs and Hamish Taylor, Lia Fletcher and Mish Collingridge followed by Angus Collingridge and Ed Fletcher. As the race continued Kate overtook Anna by the second leeward with Lia slipping past Emily. With all the fleet heading to the previously favoured right side, Angus took the other leeward gate and found pressure up the left side to haul himself up to third by the last windward behind Phoebe who had been overtaken by Connor on a charge. Down the slow final run these three held their positions despite sailing a big banana (Pablo Volker where are you when we need you?) with Lia into 4th and Eli Watling and George Little finishing strongly into 5th.

The resurgent bronze fleet started 5 minutes after gold/silver but raced hard and were in danger of catching the back markers of the fleet in front. Olivia Gowland and Harriet Thorogood led up the first beat but were hauled in by Sam Goult and Sarah McEwan who led after the first lap and extended to the finish. Siblings Ben Goult with Alex McEwan sailed well to finish third ahead of Antonia and Megara Wilkinson.

Race 2 got away after quite a long wait for the course to be reset. It was 15.15 and patience was being tested but again the U flag caused a big sag and a clean start. Memo to self - it's no good them getting a transit if they don't use it in anger; Grrrrrrr!

At the first windward Rosie Targett and Sophia Sfaxi lead from Rebecca Videlo and Kali Karaskas with Katie Yelland and Dom Rowell in third. Down the 2 reaches Rebecca took the lead with Katie up to second and Rosie in third. By the end of the second lap there was more shuffling of the pack with pressure gains to be had up the beat - Charlotte Videlo and Tom Shepherd leading at the last windward from Eli with Rebecca in third. Connor was on a charge again up into 4th with Katie Yelland, Kate White, Lia Fletcher and Angus Collingridge all giving chase. At the finish it was Charlotte, Rebecca and Connor in that order but a scrum at the final leeward gybe mark saw Angus play his get of jail free card to slow up and take the inside cleanly to move from 8th to 4th with Lia also avoiding the pile up to finish 5th.

The competitive racing in the bronze fleet continued. This time Olivia and Harriet got out in front and extended from the pack throughout to take the win from Sam and Sarah with Jessica Watling and Lily Buckton scoring their best result in third.

It was 16.35 and the sun was dropping in the sky but the wind was building nicely - a champagne supanova with Portland Harbour beginning to show its colours. Surely we would stay out for a third race in such lovely weather? Yes we would, although by the time the fleet were away the wind had dropped a tad to 10 knots. This time the fleet split right and left with those heading right benefitting big time from a bend over the course which had the wind at the top some 15-20 degrees further west than at the bottom. Connor and Toby were really hitting their stride and rounded first, this time with Faye Chatterton and Oscar Bush second and Cally Terkelson and Phoebe Barr in third, Hazel Whittle and Gwen Thorogood in fourth and Phoebe and Mimi fifth. With the wind bend holding throughout, the race turned into something of a procession with most boats hitting the right hard and maintaining their positions. At the finish it was Connor first followed by Cally, Hazel, Faye and first Silver fleet boat Ethan Davey and Alex Enkel in fifth.

Back in bronze another race, another winner. This time Antonia and Megara Wilkinson gabbing the race by the scruff of the neck and taking a big win from Sam and Sarah and Olivia and Harriet in third.

17.20 - all done and the fleet heading in to the inner harbour in the warm evening sunshine. No surprise that after 6 hours on the water the tug of war was postponed so the sailors could head off to dinner and an early night whilst a relay of parents kept the barman busy in the Cove pub dispensing much needed Doom Bar - it's hard work watching youngster sail you know.

Cadet Class Peter Scott Memorial Trophy at the WPNSA - photo © Neil Collingridge

Sunday morning saw reasonable breeze but fog - the sun trying to burn through and on occasions looking like it was winning. But try as it might it didn't win out and so finally, with the fleet still ashore, after waiting until 13.30 the Race Officer finally called it a day as no start could take place after 15.00 and the harbour was still shrouded in fog. Unlike is usually the case, canning further racing did not cause the fog to disappear 5 minutes later although at 14.25 it did clear but too late by then so a decision well made.

So Connor and Toby took the win after showing great consistency in the tricky Saturday conditions. Angus and Ed were second overall with siblings Lia and Mish in third. First Silver fleet boat was Ethan and Alex who were also 13th overall and ahead of a number of gold fleet boats.

Bronze fleet was won by the consistency of both Sam and Sarah ahead of Olivia and Harriet (all counting 3 points) but only by virtue of having the better last race result.

Once again a big 'Thank-You' to Pete Allam, Sally Reynoldson and their team at WPNSA. Also to class sponsors Zhik for their tremendous prizes and to all those helpers who make the Cadet Class run so smoothly.

Two more events will decide the selector series. Next up in Stone Sailing Club on the Blackwater in Essex on 5/6 May - tidal sailing at it challenging best, followed by the finale on the South Coast at Pevensey Bay on 26/27 May. Seasoned campaigners know these things generally go to the wire so watch this space as the UK's top 7 Cadet teams book their places for Bodsted in August.

Overall Results: